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Greetings & Introductions in Korean
Korean greetings show respect and warmth. These 25 essential phrases include Hangul, romanization, and native audio.
Each phrase includes native audio, an English translation, romanization, and cultural notes where relevant. Tap any play button to listen.
👋 기본 인사 — Basic Greetings
1.
안녕하세요!
Annyeonghaseyo!
Hello! (formal)
A slight bow accompanies this greeting. Depth of bow indicates level of respect.
explanation:
2.
좋은 아침이에요!
Joeun achimieyo!
Good morning!
Koreans often use 안녕하세요 for all times of day — morning-specific greetings are less common.
explanation:
3.
좋은 저녁이에요!
Joeun jeonyeogiеyo!
Good evening!
Again, 안녕하세요 is more versatile and used at any time of day in Korea.
explanation:
4.
잘 자요.
Jal jayo.
Good night. / Sleep well.
Polite. Casual: '잘 자' (jal ja) with close friends and family.
explanation:
5.
어떻게 지내세요?
Eotteoke jinaeseyo?
How are you? / How have you been?
Formal. Casual: '잘 지냈어?' (have you been well?) between close friends.
explanation:
🙋 자기소개 — Introductions
6.
제 이름은 지수예요.
Je ireumeun Jisueyo.
My name is Jisoo.
'제' is the humble form of 'I/my'. Using it shows respect to the listener.
explanation:
7.
이름이 어떻게 되세요?
Ireumi eotteoke doeseyo?
What is your name? (polite)
Korean politeness uses indirect phrasing — this literally asks 'how does your name become?'
explanation:
8.
만나서 반갑습니다.
Mannaseo bangapseumnida.
Nice to meet you. (formal)
Formal. Casual: '만나서 반가워요' or '반가워!' (informal).
explanation:
9.
저는 영국에서 왔어요.
Jeoneun Yeonggugeso wasseoyo.
I'm from the UK.
Country names: 미국 (USA), 호주 (Australia), 캐나다 (Canada), 프랑스 (France).
explanation:
10.
저는 한국어를 조금 해요.
Jeoneun hangugeoreul jogeum haeyo.
I speak a little Korean.
Koreans love it when foreigners learn Korean — especially K-pop fans!
explanation:
👋 작별 인사 — Farewells
11.
안녕히 가세요!
Annyeonghi gaseyo!
Goodbye! (to the one leaving)
Said to the PERSON LEAVING. The leaving person says '안녕히 계세요!' (stay in peace).
explanation:
12.
안녕히 계세요!
Annyeonghi gyeseyo!
Goodbye! (to the one staying)
Said by the PERSON LEAVING. Unique to Korean — goodbye has two forms depending on who's moving!
explanation:
13.
내일 봐요!
Naeil bwayo!
See you tomorrow!
Casual: '내일 봐' (naeil bwa) with close friends.
explanation:
14.
좋은 하루 보내세요!
Joeun haru bonaeseyo!
Have a great day!
explanation:
15.
몸 조심하세요!
Mom josimhaseyo!
Take care! / Be careful with your health!
Health is a very common topic in Korean conversation — asking about health shows you care.
explanation:
🤝 예의 표현 — Courtesy Phrases
16.
감사합니다!
Gamsahamnida!
Thank you! (formal)
Formal. Casual: '고마워요' (polite) or '고마워' (informal, to close friends).
explanation:
17.
괜찮아요.
Gwaenchanayo.
It's okay. / You're welcome. / No problem.
Extremely versatile: 'I'm fine', 'no problem', 'you're welcome', or 'is that okay?' by context.
explanation:
18.
천만에요.
Cheonmaneyo.
You're welcome. / Not at all.
Literally 'ten million' — figuratively 'not at all, don't mention it!'
explanation:
19.
죄송합니다.
Joesonghamnida.
I'm sorry. (formal apology)
Formal and sincere. Casual: '미안해요' (polite) or '미안해' (informal).
explanation:
20.
실례합니다.
Sillyehamnida.
Excuse me. (formal)
In crowds: '잠깐만요' (just a moment) is more commonly used.
explanation:
💬 언어 도움 — Language Help
21.
네.
Ne.
Yes.
Polite: '네' or '예'. Casual: '응' (eung) with friends. Also used to show you're listening.
explanation:
22.
아니요.
Aniyo.
No.
Casual: '아니' (ani). Like Japanese, direct refusal can be softened in Korean culture.
explanation:
23.
이해가 안 돼요.
Ihaega an dwaeyo.
I don't understand.
explanation:
24.
조금 더 천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Jogeum deo cheoncheonhi malsseum hae juseyo.
Please speak a little more slowly.
'말씀' is the honorific form of 'word/speech' — using it shows respect when asking.
explanation:
25.
영어 하세요?
Yeongeo haseyo?
Do you speak English?
English education is widespread in Korea — most younger Koreans have some English.
explanation:
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